Police Chief from Ohio claiming to be with ICE visits Cincinnati Public School campuses

CINCINNATI — An officer who claimed to represent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement visited several Cincinnati Public Schools on Wednesday, asking about students.

The district confirmed the visits in a statement released Wednesday, saying the agent stated she was working on behalf of ICE to conduct “wellness checks on students.”

Officials identified the agent as Tonina Lamanna, the police chief of Gratis, Ohio. Gratis is a village in Preble County, located outside of Dayton.

“At a small number of our schools, an out-of-town law enforcement officer visited school offices to conduct wellness checks related to students believed to be enrolled in CPS. The officer claimed to be working on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The officer did not request to see or interact with any students, and there was no direct contact with students,” the statement said in part.

In an update Thursday, Superintendent Shauna Murphy said Lamanna and another individual accompanying her did not interact with any students, and district leadership has asked that any future inquiries go through its Office of General Counsel.

Murphy said Lamanna visited three schools: Western Hills University High School, Rees E Price Academy, and Roberts Academy, all located on the west side of the city.

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval issued a statement Thursday addressing the incident, calling it “ridiculous and inexcusable.”

“As a CPS parent I am disgusted by the incomprehensible actions of the Gratis Police Chief. It is patently ridiculous and inexcusable that a police chief from a small town an hour from here would come into our City’s public schools unannounced, let alone do so allegedly at ICE’s request, to intimidate our children and their families. Stay out of Cincinnati,” the mayor said.

Murphy said the district continues to investigate the visit.

Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said she is aware of the situation and is communicating with federal and state partners to ensure all guidelines and policies are properly followed.